Recommendations on how to stop smoking marijuana and what symptoms to watch for

Thank u so much I been going threw this a little while I'm 20 been smoking since 18 and I don't like it anymore I feel as though now my body relys on it to eat I have problem like always questioning life I can go on for hours with my thoughts and if I'm trying to relax on a day off its nearly I'm possible for me not to light one I have tryed cold Turkey thinking it wasn't a big deal but I notice I did have wierd behavior like u stated thanks for ur advice I'm going to use it and hope it helps I wanna stop because I don't feel healthly and its a bad influence for my son I know its wrong and I wanna do right

I didnt read all of the posts on this particular site having read many already on many similar sites. I started smoking pot in 1977 and have only missed a few days since. Most of the days without have been due to military postings..some are due to me not wanting it..or having "quit" those were far and few between..the remainder were days when I had run out due to unavailability..those days were usually filled with anxiety and anger...I can give a sermon on the multitude of reasons to quit....reasoning usually experienced when I had a full bag of pot. i do know that I need to quit..my thinking has become laboured..money reasons are self explainable unless you r not concerned about money..health issues..apathy...many many reasons but the number 1 reason is my 12 yr old boy...we actually hide from and avoid him so we can smoke and be high..that alone should be enough! I have made it 1 month on 2 separate occasions then slipped back into daily use..this has to be the final stand!!! I quit for me..my son and our future..not looking forward to the loss of appetite, the vivid scary dreams..etc..BUT I recall replacing pot with exercise and feeling on top of the world..I have done it before and will do it again..but this time when I quit... I QUIT...everything is better..but it will take 4-6 weeks to realize it...

I've been smoking since my early teens and I'm approaching 50 and still smoking. The past 15-20 years i have smoked daily, all day long. I have a chronic cough in addition to what everyone else posts. I've been wanting to quit for many many reasons but the 2 biggest reasons just came to light recently. First, my amazing , very straight, responsible 18 year old daughter found our for sure that dear old mom is a pot head Second, I found out last night that the reason I lost the potential love of my life 2 years ago was because of the pot. He never told me because he didn't want me to change for him. I'm devastated and have had enough. I suffer from anxiety and depression and I am afraid I'll have major problems by quitting. I know you can't die from anxiety but it can immobilize me. That's my biggest fear. As I start my journey, I believe knowing there are others out there contemplating, actively quitting and people who have come out on the other side will help. I think I'm going to need you guys!

Hi,

I  have read all the posts with interest and thank everyone for sharing their experiences. Like many on here I never  post or reply but felt that writing down my experience may help me (and maybe others?)on my mission to stop smoking weed. I also have alot in common with the deluded post.

I have smoked weed every day (apart from when I was pregnant) since I was 20,  I am now 38. I am a mother of two, have a good job and am an evening  smoker. For me the best time of the day is when the kids and house  are all sorted  and i will be at the bottom of the garden smoking a spliff, problem is though my whole day is is spent looking forward to that evening spliff. My partner is a non smoker and he is more bored with my declerations of "this is my last spliff" than my actual smoking splifs. If I have it in the house i  have to smoke it, there is no way I can save it for a special occasion or even weekends.

I live a dichotomy, half of me loves smoking and the feeling of being stoned but the other half hates the fact that it gives me the munchies, is bad for my health and rules me. I would also be mortified if my children knew my dirty little secret. I smoke it on the pretext of using it to sleep but then find myself staying up extra hours to get more stoned  or just sit in front of the telly zonked. I too will smoke it and think, why am I smoking this? It's sh*t. One hour later i am skining up again. I have never suffered anxiety or  depression but I am aware that could come, also I have some pretty far out fantasies whilst smoking usually including death and funerals so not the best of thoughts. I also seem to be really susceptible to cold and flu and think my immune sytem is defo lower from smoking the weed.

This is only my third day now without a spliff so I know the road  ahead is long, i am tempted now to rush out and get some but I just keep saying "today I am not smoking." I am lucky with all I have  in life but i am still not the person I want to be and this down to me being a not so secret stoner. I ask myself why I started smoking again after each child and think its simply  because I could.  It does affect my social life and my relationship with my family as I would rather get home and have a spliff  than see my parents or friends.  One of my problems is my brother and two of my very best friends are massive smokers  with no intention of giving up.

Alot of the posts were over a year ago so I would be really intested to  see how everyone faired? Also good luck Nala, I  hope you have managed to kick the  habit. I am  giving up  for my children, myself, my health and  my finances. I have to keep telling myself this as temptation  is always biting at my  heels. On a positive note it has  been so bloody easy to get up  in the morning  for the past three days!

Stay strong friends.xxx

 

 

 

 

 

Hi,

I have read all the posts with interest and thank everyone for sharing their experiences. Like many on here I never post or reply but felt that writing down my experience may help me (and maybe others?)on my mission to stop smoking weed. I also have alot in common with the deluded post.

I have smoked weed every day (apart from when I was pregnant) since I was 20, I am now 38. I am a mother of two, have a good job and am an evening smoker. For me the best time of the day is when the kids and house are all sorted and i will be at the bottom of the garden smoking a spliff, problem is though my whole day is is spent looking forward to that evening spliff. My partner is a non smoker and he is more bored with my declerations of "this is my last spliff" than my actual smoking splifs. If I have it in the house i have to smoke it, there is no way I can save it for a special occasion or even weekends.

I live a dichotomy, half of me loves smoking and the feeling of being stoned but the other half hates the fact that it gives me the munchies, is bad for my health and rules me. I would also be mortified if my children knew my dirty little secret. I smoke it on the pretext of using it to sleep but then find myself staying up extra hours to get more stoned or just sit in front of the telly zonked. I too will smoke it and think, why am I smoking this? It's sh*t. One hour later i am skining up again. I have never suffered anxiety or depression but I am aware that could come, also I have some pretty far out fantasies whilst smoking usually including death and funerals so not the best of thoughts. I also seem to be really susceptible to cold and flu and think my immune sytem is defo lower from smoking the weed.

This is only my third day now without a spliff so I know the road ahead is long, i am tempted now to rush out and get some but I just keep saying "today I am not smoking." I am lucky with all I have in life but i am still not the person I want to be and this down to me being a not so secret stoner. I ask myself why I started smoking again after each child and think its simply because I could. It does affect my social life and my relationship with my family as I would rather get home and have a spliff than see my parents or friends. One of my problems is my brother and two of my very best friends are massive smokers with no intention of giving up.

Alot of the posts were over a year ago so I would be really intested to see how everyone faired? Also good luck Nala, I hope you have managed to kick the habit. I am giving up for my children, myself, my health and my finances. I have to keep telling myself this as temptation is always biting at my heels. On a positive note it has been so bloody easy to get up in the morning for the past three days!

Stay strong friends.xxx

TRY: Picamilon when stopping smoking.

Thanks mustapha. I am going to try some of the things you recommended. Day 1 down with no smoke! Its only a baby step but at least it's a step in the right direction!

hey hunn one thing? i know you quite cold turk but what i want to know how is the relation ship going is your mood good how are you taking conversations and how are you physcaly and motoinally .are you having weird dreams and can you sleep at nihght , i want to quite cold turk but all my freinds smoke and i here alot of messed stuff

i am 22 i started smoking weed when i was 15 ites doing my head in now day 1 today and i feel like killing sum1 so uneasy and on edge worst thing is got weed sat here next to mee and soo far soo good on not touching it but dont no how long it will last ppl say its not addctive its a mental thing well woteva its somebody HELPPPPPPPPPPPP thanks guys

I have a very positive post for you!!! It's been almost 3 weeks and I haven't smoked. I have no anxiety which was my biggest fear. I have some cravings sometimes but nothing I can't handle. My chronic cough is virtually gone and I haven't spent $100 in the past 3 weeks! Be strong. You can do it!!! I'm very proud of myself and I feel strong. I am no longer a pot smoker as I will not start again.

Quantum wrote:

In case there’s any confusion, physical withdrawals are very real coming off pot, but not everybody is susceptible for many factors. I would think that anyone that gets high on a weekly basis would have some noticeable symptoms. And certainly daily smokers can expect problems.

I’ve been smoking weed for 30 years and I started when I was 19. I smoked anywhere between 1-6 hits everyday and this is the first time I decided to stop smoking, I decided that the pot has ruined my social life and now that I’m almost 50, I’m starting to worry about my lungs and future mental powers. (I also read that pot smokers are more prone to metal disorders later in life.) I’m a successful computer designer, but I always needed the pot to help relieve my anxiety at the end of the day.

6 weeks before stopping, I made sure that I only took only one hit per day. (Good stuff) Then I slowed down to one hit every other day for about 3 weeks. Then 10 days ago I stopped completely, and it has been rough. I think because I slowed down gradually, my appetite has not been affected at all as compared to everybody else’s experience, but here is what I immediately noticed.

Insomnia – I got about 5 hours a night, some bad dreams, some good ones, but the problem is they are so long and so vivid. I must not be getting my REM slept I suppose.

Sore all over – hands, calves, neck, back. Just about everywhere, must be the stress as it started all of a sudden. Weird electric like surges going through my body. I’ve been having tingling in my fingertips, but that might be related to my hunched over posture and back as I’ve been weak and tired from poor slept.

Extreme irritability – such as cursing very loud in the car because red lights are too long. (And I never curse.) But, the good news, within seconds I tell myself ‘no big deal’. This had NO effect on any of my relationships with people, but I was not a heavy smoker so its probably not a good time for serious discussions. Also, no heavy discussions before going to bed.

Talking too quickly – I found myself interrupting and talking over people before they finished their sentence. This causing more anxiety in me that I could feel growing the more I talked. Consider making conversions short with people.

Heart rate – I think my heart rate is about 15 beats per minute higher as I think my general level of stress is higher. I had only one panic attack about 10 years ago, and over the past 10 days, I started to have a few minor ones.

Also, I thought I’d mention that I have been reading an incredible amount each day since I stopped smoking. 8 hours a day as compared to 3 hours a day when I was high. This is common as reports indicate that people that stop smoking weed, they often take on more challenging reading and studying tasks.


RECOMMENTATIONS TO CONSIDER FOR TRYING TO STOP SMOKING WEED:

#1 Don’t stop cold turkey! Reduce your consumption in a couple of stages over 6-8 weeks. I had no problem doing this once I made the commitment to myself. Measure and ration it out. If you are a heavy smoker and you stop suddenly, you are making it much harder on yourself and it will dramatically affect your life and job, and could easily lead to a panic attack, a doctor’s visit, and other problems.

#2 Exercise – the common standard walking amount is 10,000 steps per day. Do it 3-4 times a week while you’re feeling bad and I’ll guarantee it will help. However, consider a walking buddy as you might be feeling paranoid.

#3 Only drink one small cup of coffee in the morning of a weak mix. This will dramatically cut down on panic attacks, shortness of breath, jitters, and heat palpitations. Start reducing your coffee consumption about 3 weeks before you stop smoking weed. No expresses or lattés!

#4 Drink lots of complex carbohydrates, such as juices. Cranberry juice supposedly strips out the internal lining of the bladder. I would think a variety would be best. But, watch out, some juices are far from 100% pure. I think I also read something about milk being good because of the vitamin D.

#4 Eat lots and lots of salads as your stomach will be churning and gassed up. If you ever thought about eating real healthy, this is time in your life to start.

#5 Consider moving over to brownies to taper off your addiction. If you don’t want all the oil and fat from brownies, you can eat weed directly, but first cut it up and heat it in the oven for 20 minutes at 160 degrees. (Decarboxylation) It takes about 200-250% more to get the same effect as smoking it.

#6 Have everything organized before hand, a plan. Have your house clean, your bills paid off, and don’t think your going to get a lot done during your detox time. You’re going to feel crazy at time, heart racing, achy, and just feeling sour in general. I found myself getting compulsive about thing, like writing this helper for you guys!

#7 Have lots of entertainment ready such as DVD’s, games, and other distractions. You’re not going to feel too inspired at this period. I ended up watching youtube for hours along with TV and movies.

#8 If you think you will have severe reactions, consider getting a short term (30 day) prescription of Alprazolam/Xanax (similar to Valium but much cleaner and much shorter half life) as this will greatly help mellow you out, prevent panic attacks, and it should help your stomach because it relieves stress. I would highly consider this if you’re already prone to high anxiety like me. I have a well respected doctor and he knows about my weed issues.

#9 Try to stay around people and situations where you can’t get high. Don’t be alone after a hard day of work with a bag sitting in the drawer. Also, it’s probably better to stop smoking during the summer months. You also might find that you will spend less time with your toking buddies and you might come to the conclusion that there is not as much in common with them anymore as a lot of your past activities revolved around getting high and acting silly and wasting time. You also might notice that you listen to less music.

#10 According to the research that I found, the symptoms last from 10 to 26 days and the worse is around the forth day. Consider your next vacation to line up?

Good luck...

THX BRO !! this will help me alot

THANKS GUY IVE BEEN SOMKING SINCE 6 GRADE AND I AM NOW 22 AND BEEN SMOKING EVERY SINGLE DAY ABOUT 5 GRAMS OF BOMB CUSH TROUGH OUT THE DAY AND I JUS FEEL ITS KEEPING ME BAK FROM LIFE I HAVE NO JOB NO CAR NO MONEY AND VERY LAZY AND IM TIERD OF IT SO IMA TAKE UR ADVISE AND HOPEFULLY IT TURNS OUT GOOD

I am 25 and have smoked for 7 or 8 years, been a daily smoker for about the last 6. I don't really drink and I don't smoke cigarettes. I've quit a few times before, once for a few weeks, once for a little over a month, and some other times for a week/few days. The time I quit for a little over a month and got clean, when I went back and smoked again, I really didn't like it anymore, it just made me feel more anxious and paranoid than I was before. I'm not sure how this affects people differently - I have done a few other drugs, including ecstacy, which I believe can make a big difference in how marijuana affects you. I KNOW I can quit for a longer time. I know I NEED to, and I WANT to. Like a lot of others on here, I initially used it for fun or as an escape to begin with, now I feel as though the weed is what I really need to escape from.

Thanks for coming back and updating. Helpful seeing someone talk positively about their time since quitting... You are helping us, helping me...

i just found this forum and subscribed. i am 52 years old(smoked since i was like 18) and decided i need to quit.  I hope i can.  the cravings are going to be difficult.  i am also having trouble finding it.  i have taken risks asking people i dont know at work and other places.  thats what scares me alot.  i destroyed all my equipment.  i have a 14 and a 16 year old.  thank god they dont know.  my wife does... and although she doesnt approve she never really held it against me. but i know she is disappointed in me for the 20 years we've been married.  it is gonna be hard.  its been like a 2 weeks now. i just dont want to chase this dragon anymore.  i definitely am having mood swings, have bouts with depression and cravings.  I just want to be able to put this behind me.  i am find it very hard to do this.